Football: Barcelona Set to Sign David Villa and Cesc Fabregas

In summer transfer moves that could cost in excess of €100million, Barcelona are poised to sign David Villa, of Valencia and Cesc Fabregas, the Arsenal captain.

Joan Laporta, the Barcelona president – who’s side wrapped up the Spanish La Liga title this week – confirmed this week that bids are tabled for both players, and that those deals are progressing well.

On the Villa deal, Laporta told Spanish newspaper Marca “we hope to be done before the World Cup.”

According to a report, Arsenal’s captain Cesc Fabregas, who began his career in Barcelona’s youth setup before joining the North London based Gunners, also wishes to join Barcelona to attain “major honours” he could not achieve by remaining with Arsenal’s current squad.

Laporta told a Spanish radio stationthat “both players want to come to Barca.” Which suggests that he is hopeful a deal can be done for Fabregas as well as Villa.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is believed to have asked his captain to spend one more season with the club, but Fabregas has requested that, should any bid be tabled, it be accepted. Arsenal will expect to receive at least €40million, perhaps even more, for the player widely accepted as the best in their club.

David Villa’s price tag is also anticipated to be more than €40million, meaning that, if they are pushed to negotiate, Barca could easily have to spend in excess of €100million for the pair.

Should they succeed in obtaining two of the brightest lights in European football with these deals, it must be considered a major coup for Barcelona, and would install them as firm favourites for the UEFA Champions League of 2010-2011 ahead of bitter rivals Real Madrid who spent over €200million last summer seeking similar goals.

According to all sources, we should have to wait no longer than the beginning of the 2010 World Cup for confirmation, as both players and clubs are hopeful of deals finalised by then.